Car Theft Suspect Crashes Vehicle into Pond, Surrenders to Florida Deputies

Last Wednesday (May 21, 2025) deputies from the Manatee County (Florida) Sheriff’s Office captured a grand theft auto suspect after the man drove into a retention pond.

The Manatee County SO reports that suspect Brendarius Pittman, 27, sped away after deputies spotted him around 2:30 a.m. driving a stolen Kia Sorrento. During what the sheriff’s office reports as a “brief chase,” the suspect drove over spike strips.

Manatee County SO’s aviation unit followed the pursuit and captured video of the vehicle being driven into a retention pond near Sarasota-Bradenton Airport.

The video shows the suspect getting out of the car and wading up onto the sidewalk. He surrendered to deputies, the sheriff’s office said.

Pittman has been charged with grand theft auto, driving with a suspended license, fleeing to elude, and possession of marijuana, the sheriff’s office reports.